Homecoming Chapter 4 (Serialized Novel)
Chapter 4
Stretching several blocks, Georgetown University towered above the community. Its numerous towers cast their shadows out into the street, and made it seem more like a castle of old than the educational fortress that it was. The building’s countless many arched windows were a testimony to its cathedral like architecture, and they offered the students a breathtaking view of the Potomac River and the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge that paralleled it.
At the forefront of Georgetown University was Healy Hall that was comprised most of limestone, bolstering it’s citadel like affect. The rest of the building was brick red in color and composition and wrapped around the campus in rectangular formation. There was a Catholic Church across the street, but it served only to prove that there was no foundation that compared to the Jesuit stronghold, in both size and status.
It was another dry and humid day in Maryland inside classroom A119 of the Healy Hall. Even with its windows cracked open, Professor Emeritus Stephanie McGee had developed quite a case of perspiration with thick beads of sweat rolling down her temples and that glistened off of her pale white complexion; the moisture in her curly red hair giving her a crazed Medusa like appearance.
Still, she made it work for her. Ever since she could remember, Stephanie had been one for playing dress up and keeping up with looks. It was something that she supposed that she had gotten from her mother. She stood in front of the class, a ravishing and confident woman, sporting a black and white checkered number of a dress complete with matching closed toe heels.
At the delicate age of thirty-two, she possessed the beauty and the brilliance to unrealistically attract the male population in her class. None of which would have been the wiser to the fact that she had spent half of the morning remedying a hangover with long cold showers, pain killers, and lots of liquids and hearty foods. Not to mention lots of feminine products and aesthetics. It was important in a world of keeping up with important people in the public eye.
“So, you see then class, in the advent of quantum physics and with string theory we find that time is much more elusive and complicated than the stubbornly persistent illusion than Einstein made it out to be in both his general and specific theories of relativity,” Stephanie informed her very serious students, all of whose attention seemed to be elsewhere on that given day.
Nothing seemed to make this any more apparent to her than her vantage point in front of the classroom. It seemed to her that in a vicious cycle, that everyday it was the same room and repetitious materials that almost made her want to advocate for the cyclical model of time. It escaped her mind as to how many times she had stood before the auditorium, complete with its two projector screens and four rows of tables and given a similar speech.
Like we repeated different renderings of the same thing day in and day out. Just different versions of the same thing. Today would be a lecture on the alternative history theory. Tomorrow one on static and dynamic systems and so the pattern would repeat. She could even see how there was an argument that this repetitious nature forged itself within the development of the brain, with countless grooves being formed in the neural network over and over again as this process played itself out. A photographic rendering of the observable universe being likened to the neural network of the brain played out in her mind’s eye as she thought this with a slight pause.
“After last night’s lifechanging announcement from the President, I would like for us all to consider chapter five in our supplemental reading in Stephen Hawking’s, The Universe in a Nutshell. More specifically, let us focus our attention on the implications brought forth by Richard Feynman’s sum over histories model,” Stephanie continued, taking the time to make herself comfortable by sitting herself cross legged atop of her desk that was at the center of the forefront of the classroom. “I will also generously give five points of extra credit to the student that can tell me which part of the speech given by the President last night should have been of particular interest to the student of Astrophysics as it relates to this topic,” she asked, rolling her feet and heels in little semi-circles as she did so. Much to her disappointment, only a few pair of hands raised themselves from out of her audience of forty-five students. “Alright, another five will be credited if anyone can also tell me the implications that this has for this field of study,” Stephanie went on, hoping to get a livelier response from the crowd. “Yes James, what says you on this matter,” Stephanie inquired of her top student sitting nearest to her.
“Well Professor, the most painstakingly obvious topic touched on during the President’s speech as it relates to this matter is the fact that these beings are interdimensional, which is as terrifying a concept as it is one that will mostly redefine and revolutionize the way that we perceive the spacetime continuum,” James Kepler began, putting his silver fountain pen to his paper with a slight tap. He sat coolly at his desk, halfway slouched in its seat. Wearing an all-blue Calvin Klein suit, his entire appearance epitomized how he was a smug spoiled rich kid whose parents paid for everything other than his intelligence. “As for the implications, they are many. It would seem to confirm that space and time are one, and that it is a dimension all on its own accord. That being said, it would also seem to suggest that these dimensions are something that one could weave and move throughout, as these various entities do. Not only that, but from this, one could infer that time travel is possible. At least, for them it is. The only question that it raises is that of how they are able to do so,” he finished, giving his head a little flick as if it would fix his perfectly combed over gentleman style haircut.
“Very good Mr. Kepler. Consider the credits as good as yours,” Stephanie said in response to his answer, thinking to herself that it was any wonder that he had a 4.2 CUM GPA. The more guilty side of herself had to admit that she would consider dating someone like him if he wasn’t a student, and had he been a little older. A girl had to dream after all. “Now with this thought at the forefront of our mind’s, I want us to try and expand our minds to take Feynman’s sum-of-histories model and combine it both with the alternative histories model and some of the speculations of the higher dimensions postulated by string theory,” Stephanie proposed to her daydreaming class.
As she did so, she noticed a couple of official looking men enter into the back of the room where they took their places on either side of the door. One was a clean-shaven African American male with a jarhead buzz cut. The other Caucasian with similar facial features, with the exception of a more defining jaw line. They both wore green fatigues and held their hats at their side.
Stephanie was reminded of the movie, A Beautiful Mind, but unlike her Grandfather, she did not have Schizophrenia. At least, not that she was aware of. Still, it made her wonder what had brought them to her lecture. It presented her with the dilemma that she did not know as to whether or not to bring her classes attention to the unexpected visitors or to continue on with her discussion. After a moment of contemplation, Stephanie decided on the latter of the two, figuring that they would interrupt if it was important enough.
“Now, interestingly enough, in his, Protecting the Past, Hawking’s assumes that there are no UFO’s that have come from some future civilization in order to change or alter the past. Nor does he believe that the Government would go so far as to cover this up. Although, as we all saw last night, one of, if not both of these scenarios are true, and it makes us ponder over his closing statement in, ‘You might wonder if this chapter is part of a government coverup on time travel. You might be right.’ At any rate, I want to look at some of the points on time travel that he brings up in this section, especially as they relate to Feynman’s and others,” Stephanie pressed forward, taking her time to lay herself out across the desk, stretching her arms out and using her elbows to lean herself upright on it. At this, one of her unexpected visitors cleared his throat, and used his free hand to cover up his mouth. That last part had been aimed in their general direction, and she was pleased that someone seemed to pick up on it.
“In a way, it seems to resonate with John Wheeler’s statement, that time is nature’s way of preventing everything from happening all at once. What we can take from this, is that in terms of the argument between static and dynamic time, that it seems to favor the likes of static time in that there is no singular passage of what we perceive as time. That much could easiest be inferred. Subsequentially, time becomes like a pulsating and multidimensional now. Like the subatomic particles in Feynman’s quantum flux state that take on every possible path, time too in theory is free to take on infinite many manifest forms of what the present moment can become. It would also agree with eastern thoughts of how all time was an illusion to the mind, that all there is was presence, or that there is only ever psychological time. What’s more, is it is suggested in string theory that in the higher dimensions of states we begin to look at these parallel worlds, or a plane of infinite worlds and galaxies that have differing outcomes and realities. For instance, one with differing laws of physics or a different point of singularity if any, and that all things are connected. There will only be the now, and what it can become. And we are all connected in the now. What we find is that the Titanic is setting right now, this class is taking place right now, and the future is also taking place right now as well. As for time travel, Stephen Hawking and other’s do refer to the likes of time loops, the stuff you would expect in Dr. Strange, or any other Marvel movie. That or the grandfather paradox, and there is even the conversation of wormholes, but there still seems to be a problematic grey area. If all this is the case, it would seem that they are also multidimensional beings as well, because then this would mean that they are existing in several different points of time simultaneously, and that seems relatively impossible,” the honor student answered as if it were the most apparent thing in the world with a backwards glance and a smirk at his new audience, as if they were recruiting him, and only him for some prestigious position.
“Excellent. This is exactly why I raised these points. One cannot talk about time without referring to space, and vice versa. As we consider sentient lifeforms other than our own, it calls us to rethink our place in the universe, or perhaps the multiverse, as we know it. Perhaps in time, they will be able to share their insights. What we are finding, in the works of Brian Greene, and other contemporaries such as Roger Penrose, is the thought of this theoretical multiverse. At present, there are several models ranging from the quilted multiverse to that of the holographic and ultimate universes. This gives rise to the alternative histories model and the thought that the universe doesn’t have a history but every possible history. If time and space are as one, and this is the case, then what is the veil that separates us from a different dimension or reality? What is it that prevents us from weaving from this dimension into another? If we could ask these beings this question, that it comes to be that they are not in fact from another time or place, but from a dimension in front of us that is not readily perceivable to our three-dimensional way of life. Maybe they have been in plain sight this whole time. It touches on time being cyclical, and also raises several existential inquires as well,” she said in a way that denoted awe in her delight to share her thoughts on the matter.
“Professor, I don’t want to interrupt, but isn’t that the real pressing issue that we should be talking about? We can always debate over the topic of time and space, but it’s not every day that the world comes to the realization that we are not alone in the universe,” James bellowed out, taking his COVID surgical mask off so she could make out his face, and to make it all the more personal. “I don’t know about all of you, but I speak for myself when I say that the President’s speech last night left us with a whole lot more unanswered questions then anything else,” he proposed to a growing murmur in the class that seemed to indicate their approval.
“I think because,” Stephanie said, and then trailed off. She looked at the sea of students seated in front of her, then at the men at the back of the auditorium. “I think because,” she said again. “That since this is a conversation that is directly related to the topic of space and time respectively that this is something that I can permit and allow once,” Stephanie answered, standing herself back up on her feet as she did so. It was somewhat in her defense, because she didn’t want it being known that she was an in the closest researcher of cosmic astronaut theory and extraterrestrial beings. Given her newcomers, she didn’t want to come across as too knowledgeable in this area. It was information that got her Grandfather locked up in an insane asylum after all. “The floor is yours Mr. Kepler. What would you like to start with,” Stephanie asked hesitantly, wondering if the guests would approve?
“To be frank, I’m scared shitless Professor,” the young grad student led with, much to her surprise. James was to proud and arrogant the type to show any weakness or vulnerabilities. “I was doing my research on this, and they say these beings refer to themselves as the Zeta Recticuli and the Alpha Centauri, hailing from those constellations, but that’s the thing. According to NASA and the images from Hubble Telescope, we aren’t even sure if they have life bearing exoplanets. And that’s just the start of things. These are the very same lifeforms that are the stuff of the Beta Hill abduction stories and every other hostile alien scenario out there. I mean I’m sure you’ve heard of all those extremists and cosmic astronaut theorists going on about the Reptilians, and that’s exactly what some of them look like. I think that we should start with the most basic question of what exactly that want from our planet? What are they doing here? Why do they want their presence here on earth? I’m not buying this whole galactic station theory that we were given last night,” James let out, gesturing his free right hand at the open window as if he was pointing at something outside of it. “Really, I’m concerned with our safety and whether or not these things can be trusted, or if they are a force to be feared, what with their superior technology. I mean at a certain point synergy can turn into a hostile takeover,” he went on, not holding anything back in expressing his feelings on the topic.
“James, I can see that you are very passionate about this, but I’m going to have to stop you right there. Sure. I get it. To some extent, there is definitely some fear and angst that should be natural in finding out about this development. Nevertheless, as the POTUS said last night, they have actually been among us, and collaborating with our leaders for years. Only now, they feel it is the right time to bring this to the public’s attention. I’m not saying that I agree with this, because I don’t, but we have to think about the reasons that this was done. It was with the intent of keeping us from going into mass hysteria and to prevent our social structures from collapsing that this was done. And I’m sure that there are at least a dozen other reasons that this was the case. Regardless, we have to be assured in this fact. As the President said, this is not a time for panic or for fear,” she informed her class. But it wasn’t the script that played out in her mind. Rather, it was a spoonful of sprinkled bullshit that she half fed them because of those in their attendance. She would much rather tell them that she was concerned as well, and that the Government never had their best interests at heart. Or that she thought it was horrible that they could keep the people guessing for some fifty years, all the while imprisoning innocent people for knowing the truth, but she didn’t want to end up locked up herself. So, she figured that it was her best bet to tell them what they wanted to hear. After all, she didn’t want to create a panic or mass hysteria, and saying anything different would lead to that wouldn’t it?
“What happens from here,” said another student, two rows directly behind James. A female one. It belonged to Samantha Carlson, who rarely participated actively in classroom discussions. Not to say that the slender strawberry blonde didn’t do well on her assignments, just she struggled in finding her voice. “I mean, like, everyone says that this changes everything, so what exactly does it change? Are they, like, going to cohabitate the planet and be amongst us, or are we just going to be left in the dark like we always have? Speaking for myself personally, I don’t know how I would feel with those things walking amongst us. They look frightening,” she went on, fidgeting with her diamond studded nose ring as she did so.
“Yeah, Samantha brings up an excellent point,” another student chimed in, this time from the nosebleeds next to the friendly visitors. This one issued forth from Alex Moore who was taking the class as a mere elective, which said a lot about him. He was an accountant but didn’t want to pass up an opportunity to study about the heavens, and to have another testimony as to how good at mathematics he was during drinking games. “All the President really said last night was that we are not alone in the universe, and that they are amongst us. It was a big blanket statement, with no real substance to it. There was no mention of what we are to do about it. As if we are just to go about, business as usual and figure it out for ourselves. I thought the same thing too. For instance, what are their ethical, moral, religious, or spiritual beliefs. Do they have mythologies and theologies? Do they believe in some big lizard like creator, and why does that eerily coincide with some of our own beliefs? What does this mean for our every day lives, and how exactly does this change everything,” the human calculator inquired, and it was at that point that Stephanie became scrupulously aware as to why they were all so afraid that cosmic disclosure would create for a panic. It in fact made us question everything that we believe in and hold so dear. She had to be honest with herself, bug eyed creatures and reptilian men made her question her faith.
“Listen class, I’m not going to pretend that I know the answers to all these questions. I don’t even pretend that I know all the answers in my own field. I still find that it’s a lot of hit and miss, trial and error experimentation. I am but a Professor that fights for what little control I have over my own personal bubble and existence. Even though space and time seems a related topic to an inquiry into the subject of extraterrestrials, I am by no means an expert in this area, nor am I a Politician that would keep information in the dark for years on end for my own personal need and agenda,” Stephanie started, having a difficult time holding the last bit in. “That being said, I would like to quote Stephen Hawking in that, ‘intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.’ What I do know is that we are very resilient and adaptable as a species. If the Corona Virus has taught us anything it is that. What we have, it would seem, is alien invaders in both our inner and outer worlds, and still we persevere, and it has always seemed this way. If we have been collaborating with these beings all these years, and we have it on good intelligence from the President that we have nothing to fear, then I am sure that is most certainly the case,” the Professor Emeritus assured her class, not for one second believing her own bullshit.
“Well, I don’t know about you Professor, but in my experience, when someone says there is no reason to worry, it is because there is actually a very good reason to worry, and it acts as a kind of subtle implication. I also don’t much like that he mentioned in his speech that these beings have been collaborating with our leaders and that they are as technologically advanced as they say they are. I mean, Jesus, just in space travel alone they have us beat to the point that there is absolutely no competition. And look at our own biological and technological history and track record. It has always been the species and those with the most advanced tools, technology, and weaponry, that have been on the top of the food chain at the cost of those with lesser tech. If they are anything like us, war against them would be game, set and match in favor of these things,” James Kepler countered with several more clicks of his metallic fountain pen. The auditorium became a resounding echo chamber of approving angst ridden, “Yeah, what he said,” and the sorts in response to James’s observations.
“I can only go off of what the President said. As he stated, these are beings with a way of life and history separate from our own,” Stephanie answered, trying her best to reiterate the same message from the previous night to her class. She was also trying her best to keep her footing over the conversation without allowing for the panic that everyone was going on about to settle in. “It seems hardly fair to juxtapose these lifeforms against our own biology and history. There’s just no way that we can do that. And who knows, perhaps these are beings with a more spiritual, or peaceful way of being. Maybe they hold the key to living a life that is more harmonious and idiosyncratic with other life forms. We have no way of telling what we can learn from them. We as a species tend to fear what we don’t know or understand. Personally, I believe that we have always projected our own shortcomings onto our perceptions of extraterrestrials, but that is just my own thoughts on the matter. We must strive to be as optimistic and open to this tremendous opportunity. Our whole universe just got a whole lot bigger, and there is so much potential in what we can learn from these interactions. Also, in the backdrop of our world, we have been engaging with these beings, and I think if there truly a force to be reckoned with, that they would have done something by now. Fifty years is an awfully long time to put some kind of hostile take over into motion as you put it Mr. Kepler.”
In the back of the classroom, but of the G.I. Joe’s look disparagingly at one another, their earpieces facing Stephanie and the rest of the class. They nodded at each other as if signaling some kind of secret code known only to them. The African American male cleared his throat in that uncomfortable kind of way that people do when they don’t agree with whatever has just been said.
“Mam, I am sorry to have to interrupt you, but can we have you come here,” he asked of her from his place besides the door in a softspoken voice that he was raised in a strict home, perhaps religious, that had a heavy emphasis on mannerisms. He gave her a slight nod of the head, as if he was gesturing that he meant her no disrespect in his interjection.
“You want me,” Stephanie asked after several long moments in front of her class with a look of shock etched across her face. She pointed at herself in the center of the chest to further indicate her disbelief. “What on Earth do you want with me,” she went on, as she made her way down aisle towards the military personal that had summoned her.
“Stephanie McGee, my name is Lieutenant Kevin Johnson. This here is Major Michael Evans,” he continued gesturing to his associate as Stephanie came to an abrupt stop in front of them. The two of us are with the U.S. National Department of Defense. We are sorry for the inconvenience mam, but we are going to have to ask you to dismiss your class. We are also going to need to have you come with us. It is a matter of national security, and we can’t say anything else until we arrive at the location,” the same officer informed Stephanie as if it was a common occurrence for him.
“That will be all class. Make sure to do the assigned work, and we will convene when I am no longer needed. I will make sure to send out an email that speaks to this. Have a good day,” Stephanie said without a moment of hesitancy, spinning on her heel to address the class as she did so. She flushed in embarrassment noting the gawking students who were just as surprised as she was. The fact that there were those in attendance video taping the whole thing amplified the feeling all the more.
The room permeated with the rustling and clambering of the students packing their individual things. This clashed and was met with the scooting of chairs as they left their desks, combined with the curious whispers of their speculations of what they were witnessing. Stephanie and her two guests watched as they filed in single file formation on either side of the room and took their leave from the classroom.
Even as the number of the students dissipated, a thick and unmistakable uneasiness filled the room. For Stephanie at least, it was like being placed in a pressure cooker; one that gave her a better understanding of Einstein’s relativity, for each moment was like an eternity of awkwardness that she only hoped would pass. The shame taking hold with each sideways glare that she received by one of her students that exited her classroom. As if she, and everyone in the room with her was wondering the same thing in did she do something wrong?
Finally, the last of the stranglers made their way down the aisle and out of the door. Of these, Mr. Kepler included. “I hope that everything is alright,” he offered as he made his way out of the room with an affection gesture that said the same. Stephanie’s visitors continued to stand firmly at their places by the door staring straight in front of them without saying a word.
“Thank you, James, but I assure you that everything is fine. I’ll be seeing you before you know it. Take care,” she answered appreciating his affectionate backwards glare and little wave. The room was emptied with James’s exit. With no one left in the room, the officers brought all their attention on Stephanie.
“Ms. McGee, come with us,” Lieutenant Kevin Johnson demanded of her.